DLC gears up to host key red dragon delegates

Following on from a high profile presentation in Shanghai as part of Air Cargo China 2006, Michael Proffitt, CEO, DLC, said delegates, from shipping, logistics, forwarders and logistics support companies, as well as representatives from major Chinese airlines, are expected "by the end of the year."

"China is now the production house of the world, with recently released figures showing that one factory is opening in the People's Republic every 26 minutes as a direct result of foreign investment," said Proffitt.

"As China sends its production to the world, Dubai, being exceptionally well positioned between the East and West markets of manufacturer and consumer, has an immense business value to Chinese exporters - it is an unmissable opportunity and one which perfectly fits the remit which we are trying to achieve with DLC,"

continued Proffitt.

DLC's focus goes beyond its unique value proposition to also encompass the deepening strengths of the UAE-Sino relationship.

With current two-way trade exchanges between the UAE and China increasing by 29% to $6.7billion for the first six months of 2006, Proffitt's visit to China comes at a time when the GCC countries and the Asian superpower are holding talks to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

"The relationship between the two great trading partners is going from strength to strength - by the end of the year, trade between China and the UAE is expected to grow by 50% on 2005's figures up to a staggering $15billion. Equally, the 1,000 plus Chinese companies in the UAE highlight the level of mutual co-operation," commented Proffitt.

Overseas missions by DLC delegations have been a resounding success in recent months, resulting in high-profile visits from potential investors seeking first-hand access to DLC's unique business proposition as the world's first truly integrated multi-modal logistics hub.

Earlier this year, the Spring Initiative, a Singaporean Government-backed delegation, was received by DLC and the response was overwhelming with significant deals being negotiated.

DLC's next business mission will be to Athens, Greece, during a visit to Freighters World Conference 2006, where the cream of the world's freighter community will gather in Athens from October 10-11th.

"In Athens we anticipate meeting a small, focussed contingent of some of the most senior executives from the world's leading cargo airlines, freight forwarders, transportation companies and manufacturers," continued Proffitt.

"It will be yet another opportunity for us to continue showing the rest of the world that Dubai World Central, with DLC and what will be the world's largest airport at its core, is the one-stop-shop logistics hub for the greater region of South-East Europe, CIS, Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East and Africa.

"For investors, be they Chinese, European or from the Americas, maximising profitability is paramount and through our potential consumer footprint of more than two billion people, investors can utilise DLC's multi-modal platform to improve their efficiency and improve their customer service levels" remarked Proffitt.